HTC Arrive / 7 Pro (CDMA)

Sprint today voiced support for Microsoft's forthcoming Windows Phone 8 platform. Speaking to journalists at its headquarters facility in Kansas City, Sprint spokesperson David Owen said that it believes Microsoft has made significant improvements to its Windows Phone software. Sprint thinks the timing of Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8, both of which are launching this fall, will work in Microsoft's favor for adoption of Windows Phone 8. Owen admitted that Sprint didn't succeed with its first Windows Phone device, the HTC Arrive, which was its most-returned device. Sprint launched the Arrive in January 2011, but has not followed it up with a second Windows Phone offering. Sprint has higher expectations for Windows Phone 8 than it did Windows Phone 7. Owen stopped short of saying the carrier would offer a Windows Phone 8 device, but said, "We think Windows Phone 8 is a solid product that they are bringing to market. We're interested in watching it unfold over the course of the next year. And we won't be watching from the sidelines. We'll be participating. We may not lead it, but we'll participate."

PrepaYd Wireless today announced the availability of several new plans, including a WiMax-based 4G data plan. PrePaYd now offers plans that cost $35, $40, $45, $50, and $60 per month. The entry-level $35 plan offers unlimited talk and text, while the $60 plan offers unlimited talk, text, messaging, and 4G data. PrepaYd sells devices and service that run on Sprint's EVDO 3G and WiMax 4G networks, including the HTC Arrive, LG Optimus S, and others.

Documents seen on the Federal Communications Commission's web site reveal information about an unannounced device from LG. According to the documents, the LG LS831 supports CDMA in the EMSR band (800MHz), which only Sprint uses. One of the documents is also called the "Sprint Nextel Waiver", further earmarking the LS831 for Sprint. The device also supports CDMA in the 1900MHz band, as well as Bluetooth. Photos that accompany the FCC documents show a Windows Phone device (based on button configuration and labels) and LG branding, and the draft user manual refers to Windows Phone controls and user interface elements, such as the Start button. The images also reveal that the LG LS831 has a 5-megapixel camera, user-facing camera, headphone jack, and microUSB port. Neither LG nor Sprint has announced this device. Sprint hasn't brought a Windows Phone device to market since the HTC Arrive in early 2011.

A new wireless service provider called PrepaYd Wireless launched today and offers an unlimited talk, text (SMS only), and 3G web data "Power" plan for $40 per month. The company also offers an unlimited talk and text "Advantage" plan for $35 per month. To get unlimited picture messaging and instant messaging, users must choose the $45-per-month "Ultimate" plan. The company is offering a free feature phone to new customers while supplies last, and also sells devices such as HTC Arrive, LG Optimus S, LG Remarq, and the Samsung Replenish for prices ranging between $75 and $399. PrepaYd's service runs on the Sprint network, and is available across most of Sprint's CDMA footprint. PrepaYd Wireless's parent company, PrepaYd, runs a debit card business and targets the underbanked, which it believes gives it a unique position in the prepaid mobile market. PrepaYd phones and services are available directly from its web site.

Microsoft today announced that Windows Phone 7.5 Mango is finally available to users of WP7 devices. Microsoft said it is providing the update to 98% of its WP7 user-base across all carriers and devices at once. Individuals will still need to check with the WP7 'Where's My Update' tool (which was updated this morning) to see when it should become available for their handset. The update cannot be done over the air, and requires connecting to a computer to be installed. Sprint has indicated that Mango is available for the HTC Arrive starting today, making it among the first WP7 handsets to receive the Mango update. Along with the availability, Microsoft unveiled a few new features for its mobile platform. Mango now supports visual voicemail, and mobile hotspot for up to five devices (depending on carrier/handset support). Mango phones also gain access to a web-based version of the Microsoft Marketplace that allows users to browse for apps on their computer and then click to install them to their phones.

Cellular South today announced its first Windows Phone 7 handset, the HTC 7 Pro. The HTC 7 Pro has a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, 3.6-inch display, 5 megapixel camera, and 720p HD video capture. It is available starting today for $199.99 after rebate with a new agreement.

U.S. Cellular today announced the HTC 7 Pro, the company's first Windows Phone 7 smartphone. THe HTC 7 Pro is a rebadged version of Sprint's HTC Arrive. It has a slide-out, tilt-up QWERTY; a 5 megapixel camera with flash, autofocus and 720p HD video capture; stereo Bluetooth 2.1 EDR, Wi-Fi and GPS. The 7 Pro has a 3.6-inch display with 800 x 480 pixels, and a 1GHz Qualcomm SnapDragon processor. U.S. Cellular is selling it for $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate s tarting June 14.

Sprint has informed Phone Scoop that the HTC Arrive, which will become available starting March 20, ships with the NoDo Windows Phone 7 update preinstalled. This updated system software includes cut and paste, faster application launches, and improved Marketplace search. Microsoft announced these updates in February, and will distribute them to other WP7 devices later this month.

Phone Scoop received an HTC Arrive review unit from Sprint today. The Arrive is the first CDMA Windows Phone 7 device for Sprint and offers a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Here are our first impressions and hands-on video tour.

Sprint and HTC today announced the Arrive (formerly the HTC 7 Pro), the first CDMA Windows Phone 7 device to be sold in the U.S. The Arrive differs a bit from other WP7 devices in that it has a slide-out QWERTY keyboard that can also tilt up for a better viewing angle. The Arrive features all the same user interface and software tools that are available on other WP7 devices, including the Marketplace, Bing Search, Zune, and Microsoft Office integration. It has a 5 megapixel camera with flash, autofocus and 720p HD video capture; and stereo Bluetooth 2.1 EDR, Wi-Fi and GPS. The Arrive has a 3.6-inch display with 800 x 480 pixels, and it is powered by a 1GHz Qualcomm SnapDragon processor. It has 16GB of built-in storage, and it has access to another 25GB of data storage in the cloud. It will be available starting March 20 for $199.99 after $100 mail-in rebate with a new contract.

HTC announced its first Windows Phone 7 device for Sprint, the HTC 7 Pro. The 7 Pro features a side-sliding QWERTY keyboard, which is a rarity among the early Windows Phone 7 devices. The screen is a 3.6-inch display. The phone uses the same 1 GHz Snapdragon as the other WP7 launch phones, and features 576MB of RAM. A 5 megapixel shooter will take still images and 720p, HD video. at some point in the first half of 2011. Pics, multimedia files and apps can be stored on the 16GB of internal memory.